Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE:WEA) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE:WEA) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,900 shares, a growth of 98.0% from the February 28th total of 5,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 24,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WEA. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 5.6% in the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 67,958 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $732,000 after purchasing an additional 3,611 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 108,230 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $1,166,000 after buying an additional 2,634 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,668,000. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $636,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 8.3% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 85,949 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $926,000 after acquiring an additional 6,588 shares during the last quarter.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WEA traded up $0.04 on Friday, reaching $10.96. 19,676 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 30,808. Western Asset Premier Bond Fund has a twelve month low of $10.40 and a twelve month high of $11.34. The company has a fifty day moving average of $10.96 and a 200-day moving average of $11.01.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 25th will be issued a $0.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 24th. This represents a yield of 7.6%.

About Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Western Asset Management Company. The fund is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company Limited, Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd., and Western Asset Management Company Ltd. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States.